Returning to work

I’m taking off a full year this time. Last time I took 10 1/2 months.

When I went to back to work with my first I had to give the expressed milk in a doidy cup as my LO refused the bottle. They would still be breastfed when with me. We had practicing from 6 months using the cup during meals.

I originally planned December but may need to change it to September as financially going to be struggling 🥲 heartbroken to have to send him to childcare at only 8months but don't have a choice really.

Cant comment on the BF side as my son is formula fed xx

With my first time, I went back at 8 months. This time, I plan to go back at 9 1/2 months, but my husband is now suggesting doing 11 months if we can afford it.

Taking a full year.

I returned part time with my first at around 11 months (2 days a week), and by then he was more than happy to go without boob during the day, just eating and drinking water (I did pump and give bottles but he wasn’t keen) and just fed more from me before I went to work/when I got home (and more at night for a bit 😵‍💫)

I pumped at work mainly for my own comfort!
I would just keep practicing with the pump- you’ve still got a while before you go back, so you can see closer to the time what you’re able to express vs what she needs when you’re at work, and either make up the difference with solids/water, feeding more when you’re home, or introducing formula if needed.

Went back last Monday. Self employed maternity pay is shit. No other option 😞 done the same when my first was born

I was planning on staying off till November to go back to my old job but it’s crap. I work for an agency and it’s 0hr contract so the last 4 months of my pregnancy I wasn’t getting anything money wise because I was pregnant. They told me it was because there was no work but there was. I think it’s just they didn’t want me to get hurt on their contracts.
But I have been offered a part time job to start in September. They are willing to wait till then for me to start. So I will be going back when my LO is 8 months, just 3 days. Brakes me wish I could take the whole year but we can’t afford it. As we don’t get any help as my fiancé apparently earns too much which is 💩. Especially with a new baby too.
Can’t really help with the BF as we formula feed our LG x

I plan on going back next year (taking the year off) but may have to go back sooner as like everyone else won’t be able to financially take the year off. I’m worried that when I do go back most of my pay will be used for childcare. I get a discount at my work place as he will be going to the nursery I work at.

With my first I went back part time at 4 months and just pumped at work. We gave her a bottle of expresses milk once every 3 days from 6 weeks to make sure she would take it. This time I’m going back 2 days from 5 months and 4 days from 7 months. Tho I might push this to 9 months.